Hospitality & Fellowship

Day of Service:  St. A's schedules a Day of Service 2 or 3 times each year.
What Happens on the Day of Service?  Participants in the Day of Service pray together and then provide lawn work and maintenance assistance for elderly neighbors of the parish, along with various type of service as needed for the parish (such as moving items, hand delivering items, etc).

Needle Threaders:  The Needle Threaders make comfort quilts for members of our community to let them feel the love, support, and encouragement from the parish during difficult times.  They also make many items for the church, homeless, nursing homes, hospitals, charity in addition to sewing for special projects.

Parish Festival / Flea Market: Our annual parish festival is normally held on the last weekend of July.  In addition to being our largest fund raiser of the year, the festival provides parishioners and neighbors an excellent opportunity to socialize and have fun.  Our annual flea market is held the Saturday before the beginning of the parish festival and also all three evenings during the festival.  This event gives those volunteers who enjoy flea markets an opportunity to go through our donations and sort out the treasures for resale.  It requires a lot of effort but we have a great time and enjoy the fellowship of parishioners we have grown to know better over months of working together.

Volunteer Coordinating:  To engage parishioners to volunteer their time and talents in anyway needed.  This group will find those people interested in performing a single task on a one‑time basis, or possibly multi-times throughout the year.  We do NOT recruit members for other ministries. 

Welcoming Committee:  Welcomes newcomers to the parish with a “Welcome Basket.”  Makes contact with new parishioners to help them feel connected to our parish.  Organizes the semi‑annual Welcome Gatherings.

Our social ministries are the sign of hospitality and fellowship at St. Teresa’s. If you are interested in any of the opportunities listed below contact the parish secretary Barb Walkauskas at bwalkauskas@avilaparish.org or 412.367.9001 and she will connect you with the appropriate coordinator.

Athletic Association
The Association helps fund all of the sports teams and provides guidance and governance over the sports programs. It strives to provide an opportunity for all of our students to participate in athletic events. Coordinator: Chris Yakim

Bingo Association
Bingo is held every Thursday in Henninger Hall Auditorium from 7-10:30 pm and the funds raised benefit the Parish and school. Volunteers are needs to register guests, run the Bingo kitchen, and assist throughout the evening. Coordinator: Mike Geyer 

Card-A-Rama
Card-A-Rama provides an opportunity for ladies of the parish and community to enjoy fellowship with like-minded women in friendly competition by playing 500 or Bridge. We have a dues fee of $15.00 per year, which benefits the parish. In May, we have a final round of play with a combined luncheon of the bridge and 500 groups. Coordinator: Sandy Csikari

Hospitality Sunday
Hospitality Sunday is a time to get together with old friends and to meet new parish members.  One Sunday a month, coffee, juice, and donuts are served after the 8 AM and 10 PM Masses in order to bring the parish family together. Volunteers assist in set-up, serving, and clean-up. Coordinator: Marie E. Jaklic

Lenten Fish Fry
The Lenten Fish Fry takes place every Friday during the season of Lent. Many volunteers are needed to run the Fish Fry, in roles such as food prep, cooks, servers, take-out, bussers, cashiers, and clean-up. Funds raised support the parish. Coordinator: Dan McSorley

Parish Festival and Flea Market
The week-long event includes nightly theme dinners and entertainment, a huge flea market, game booths, Bingo, Chinese Auction, prayer corner, bake sale and amusement park rides. Volunteers are critically needed in all ways throughout the week, from food service, to booth runners, bingo, and games. The flea market depends on volunteers to help sort, price, sell, and check-out items. Proceeds benefit the General Church Fund, the Angel Fund, and The Parish School Fund. Coordinator: Jay Kerr

Landscaping Committee
The Landscaping Committee plans activities and organizes projects to help create and maintain a peaceful and inspirational setting to welcome parishioners and visitors to St. Teresa Parish. Coordinator: Kathleen Washy 

Church Cleaning Crew
Church cleaning volunteers see that the church is clean prior to Saturday and Sunday Masses. All those available arrive at the church every Friday morning around 9:45 AM. Coordinator: Sally Hansel

Baptismal Garments
Volunteers make the Baptismal garments for the children in the parish that are being baptized. Understanding that the garment might be a cherished keepsake for the family, and that we want to assure the sewing adornment merits the dignity of the Sacrament, there is an assessment of skills for participation. Coordinator: Judy Dames

“I've learned that people will forget what you said; they’ll forget what you did; but they will never forget how you made them feel.”  Maya Angelou

Are you outgoing? Do you like to meet new people and make others feel welcome? Are you looking for a way to participate more fully at Mass? If so, the St. Sebastian Hospitality Ministry wants you!!  

There are two kinds of Ministers of Hospitality – USHERS and GREETERS, and both serve an important function at Mass. Some parishioners serve in one or both capacities – either would be great if you’d like to join.

Greeters are the first people attendees encounter at Mass. The impression of a parish is often formed by the initial hospitality or lack thereof upon entering the church. YOU could be their first impression of St. Sebastian, so we want that to be as positive and welcoming as possible.

Greeters are stationed at various locations to say hello, hold open the doors, direct people to restrooms and other locations as needed, answer questions and generally help people feel welcome as they arrive. This function is especially important now that Mass attendees come from various parishes, not just St. Sebastian. Greeter responsibilities take place in the half hour BEFORE Mass starts and are completed when Mass begins. Families are welcome to participate – children under 16 can serve with a parent. Most greeters serve only once, maybe twice a month.

Ushers also help greet people arriving at Mass, but are mostly engaged during Mass itself. Ushers confirm that those scheduled to take up the gifts during Mass are present, manage the collection of gifts during Mass, help seat people as needed, lead the Sign of Peace, help guide people in an orderly fashion for the Holy Eucharist and assist with any issues that might arise during Mass. Ushers also distribute bulletins at the end of Mass and pass through church to assure the Church pews are clean and orderly. 

Please note that anyone over 18 serving as part of any ministry must have their clearances through the Protecting God’s Children workshop and their PA state background check. Simply contact Marilyn Ruffner at 412-931-2911, Ext 5 or mruffner@sasintsebastianparish.org for more information.

If you’d like to join either ministry, please contact Mary Ann Mohr at mamiller17@comcast.net or 412-366-6122. Please consider joining us – we’d be thrilled to have you!  

Baptism Garments
Volunteers make the Baptismal Garments for those in the Church that are being baptized.   The garments are made in advance so they can be completed at your leisure.  If you like to sew and have a machine you are welcomed to join our team!  Contact Anne Kaufman